McAuliffe, in race for governor, promises business plan for Virginia
Published: January 7, 2009
-- And then there were three.
Terry McAuliffe, former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, today formally entered the Democratic campaign for governor, joining former Del. Brian Moran and state Sen. Creigh Deeds of Bath County in pursuit of a nomination that will be settled in an open-to-all primary on June 9.
McAuliffe is talking up his credentials as a successful investor and business owner. In Richmond at this hour, at a town-hall-style session at the Science Museum of Virginia, McAuliffe promised that as governor he would craft a "business plan" for Virginia.
McAuliffe's candidacy has been an open secret for months, and today's announcement -- in a statewide swing -- is the final step in a lengthy political strip tease.
McAuliffe started the day in Norfolk. In his Richmond appearance McAuliffe said he will not criticize his Democratic rivals: instead, he said, he will attack the all-but-official Republican nominee, Attorney General Bob McDonnell.
McAuliffe said McDonnell had opposed then-Gov. Mark R. Warner on a popular tax-fattened plan to boost spending for schools, police and human services.
He also faulted McDonnell for opposing Gov. Timothy M. Kaine on new funds for transportation.
McAuliffe is hoping to capitalize on his status as a newcomer to Virginia politics.
In his remarks, he promised to shake up Richmond, adding that the capital does not have a monopoly on all ideas.
Contact Jeff E. Schapiro at (804) 649-6814 or .
Reader Reactions
How will the Democratic candidate be chose? Primary or caucus? It makes a big difference people.
McCauliffe’s business plan for Virginia is to give Virginia ‘the business’.
I have the perspective of having the same home town as Terry Mc Auliffe (Syracuse) and having worked and resided in the Richmond area for a number of years. I do not share his political ideology. He has always reminded me of a “Tipperary Hill” thug (a reference to an area in Syracuse that’s most noted for Coleman’s Restaurant and a green-over-red traffic light). The above said, and in response to some of the left wing loons hereabouts, Terry Mc Auliffe has been very complimentary of Fox News for its objective reporting. He was on numerous Fox programs during and after the 2008 primaries, and he consistently communicated that message.
Like Mc Auliffe or not, he will be a very formidable campaigner, and one with deep pockets. If he is to be defeated, it will have to be done with 21st Century issues by somebody who is able to forcefully and articulately communicate areas of disagreement. Otherwise, preventing Terry Mc Auliffe from becoming the next Governor of Virginia will be a very tall order.
Just what Virginia needs; another partisan outsider who values the DNC over the people of The Commonwealth.
As being the first posted comment, Let me inform you: I was born here, raised, here, and I have lived here my whole life.
I have family in Southwest Va, Tidewater, and NoVa. I have friends from all over the nation and world who have moved here because of how VA runs itself both corporately, and politically.
Other states run their business the way they see fit, I don’t agree with them, and prefer to stay here. I’ve looked into moving to other areas of the country, but prefer VA because it is the cradle of our Nation.
I have no time, nor patience, with people who move to other countries, and refuse to adapt to the culture, language, and lifestyle of that country, but attempt to make it into their image.
Why would I have patience with people who act that way when they move to MY HOME!?!?
Boorish behavior by anyone is unacceptable in gentile company, and as being a good Southern gentleman, I refuse to get into a repugnant argument with someone as ill mannered, and insulting…
Good day.
Celtworm, maybe if you’d watch more than Keith Olbermann and Jerry Springer, you’d have something intelligent to say. Not a Fox News fan, eh? So who do YOU watch? Most Fox News haters are MSNBC fans and we all know how straight down the line MSNBC is don’t we? Fox News is at least honest about the people they have on and about the content of their programs - MSNBC, Cambell Brown on CNN, Harry Smith on CBS are all trying to pass themselves off as serious, impartial journalists - and to uncritical, non-serious thinkers such as yourself, you buy off on it.
Look, do yourself a favor and find someone else to stalk.
Dang Zero, you have a third grade daughter. Don’t you think YOU should be the adult in the relationship?
transplant ,,needs a head transplant,,,dudd,,and who VETO ,,everything the CONGRESS passed !!,,BUSH !!
I knew he would announce his candidacy since I heard he was exploring the idea a while ago. I figured I’d listen to his ideas while campaigning and consider him as my choice, but his comment about Richmond was a little stupid in my opinion. I’ll see if he backtracks on the statement and issues a statement beginning with, “I didn’t mean it the way it sounded. What I meant was….......“
And over the last two years controlling the congress who were the ones who dragged their feet and did nothing, exacerbating the problems we had?
Duh, duh, duh, duhmocrats!
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